* FACTBOX-Who is winning the U.S. election? Broader macro backdrop remains supportive for gold- analyst
* Dollar slips to two-week low
* U.S. Fed policy announcement at 1900 GMT (Updates prices)
By Sumita Layek
Nov 5 (Reuters) - Gold bounced to a one-and-a-half month peak on Thursday as growing prospects of a Joe Biden victory in a close U.S. election boosted hopes for larger stimulus and dented the dollar, ahead of a Federal Reserve policy statement.
Spot gold XAU= surged 2.3% to $1,947.17 per ounce by 1:42 p.m. EST (1842 GMT), after hitting its highest since Sept. 21 at $1,952.41. U.S. gold futures GCv1 settled up 2.7% at $1,946.80.
"It looks like it's getting more and more clearer that we're going to have a Democratic president next year," said Michael Matousek, head trader at U.S. Global Investors, adding that it will assure in bigger stimulus plans and weigh on the dollar.
Global stocks jumped, while the dollar fell to a two-week low as Biden inched towards taking the White House following victories in Michigan and Wisconsin. USD/ .N
Biden is expected to enact larger stimulus measures than U.S. President Donald Trump, although investors remained wary that a divided Congress could stymie Biden's fiscal policy. is considered a hedge against inflation and currency debasement, which are likely to result from a large stimulus.
Market participants were now awaiting a Fed policy decision due at 1900 GMT.
"We're going to hear verbiage out of the Fed that screams for additional stimulus package," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
Traders also took stock of lawsuits filed by the Trump's campaign in Michigan and Pennsylvania to stop vote counting. the U.S. election, the broader macro backdrop remains supportive of elevated gold prices given our expectations of further dollar weakness, real rates remaining negative and further stimulus," said Standard Chartered (LON:STAN) analyst Suki Cooper.
Other precious metals also posted sharp gains, with silver XAG= gaining 4.9% to $25.09 an ounce. Platinum XPT= rose 2.2% to $888.33, while palladium XPD= jumped 3.4% to $2,365.76.
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Gold bounces on dollar dip as U.S. elections enter final stretch
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